Walk of the Week: Muiravonside to Avonbridge

ROBIN HOWIE

LAST March the Mountain Maid and I walked the first part of the River Avon Heritage Trail, from Linlithgow to Muiravonside Country Park, returning via the Union Canal towpath.

Upstream beyond our walk, the trail was closed beneath Torphichen Bridge. On a raw late January day, a low-level, sheltered walk beckoned – a return to Muiravonside to complete the trail to its end at Avonbridge, in the company of the three Js (Jimbo, John and Joe).

The first part of the leaf-strewn path, in the deepest part of the Avon ravine, was a mess after a very wet spell. There were fallen branches and broken wooden steps. Doubtless after path repair work has been done, and on a dry day, you will wonder at our slow progress, less than 2mph. Past Torphichen Bridge, and with the gorge diminishing in depth, easier walking ensues.